You are now able to apply for reduced employment ratio via ‘My pages’ on The Directorate of Labour’s website. Employees log into My pages for jobseekers and employer log into My pages for employers.
Please be informed that it currently not possible to apply for unemployment benefit payments alongside reduced employment ratio due to temporary company recessions as the application format production is not yet completed.
Please be informed that you are not yet able to apply for a reduced employment ratio due to labour market recession since the parliament hasn't passed the necessary legislation. The Directorate of Labour is currently working on the application’s digital implementation in accordance with how the proposed legislation looks, the application for reduced employment ratio is not yet available on the directorate’s website. We will send out a notification when the application database is ready, and individuals who have had their employment ratio reduced are able to apply. Please note that all applications will made valid from the date from which the reduced employment ratio was arranged, but not earlier than from the 15th of March. The Directorate of Labour requests that patience be shown due to increased workloads and encourages everyone to track announcements on the directorate’s website.
A bill for amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act on reduced employment ratio has been introduced to parliament.
Registered unemployment was 4,8% in January 2020 and increased from 4,3% in December and up from 3,0% in January 2019. There were in average 8.808 unemployed in January 2020 or up with 789 from December 2019.
“Initiative” (Frumkvæði) is a 3 month project available for unemployed people of foreign origin with good business ideas. The training is provided by the Innovation Center of Iceland. It involves a 6 week training in making a business plan and assistance in putting the plan in action.
The labour market in December 2019